CinemaTherapy

Studio Exec Livestream: Writing a RomCom

Hey all, Jonathan, Megan, and Alan will be working on the script for MeetU (or whatever we end up calling this thing. MeetU doesn't thrill us) LIVE! Join them as the try to figure out how to make you fall in love with people who are falling out of love with the idea of love. Kinda.

DIRECTOR'S CUT: Toxic or Not? (500) DAYS OF SUMMER

Are Tom and Summer toxic… or not?

Licensed therapist Jonathan Decker and filmmaker Alan Seawright take a look at (500) Days of Summer and question if Tom and Summer are toxic or not. In this series, they investigate if movie relationships claimed to be toxic really are and what “toxic” actually means. Jonathan tal...

Carding a Script: Writer's Diary

Alan is re-outlining the short film, because he started writing before he was really really ready. Of course he didn't know that when he started, so he's not blaming himself or shaming himself or anything. Creativity (especially writing!) is messy. There's no right way to do it. There's not even a right way, onc...

Therapy Deep Dive: Attachment Styles

Licensed therapist Jonathan Decker does a deep dive on attachment styles and what they all mean. He explains how attachment styles are developed, and he shares his personal experience with them. Jonathan recommends therapy (of course!) and the book Secure Love by Julie Menanno if you want to dive further into at...

Patreon Rebrand: Cinema Therapy Studios!

Things look a bit different around here. Have you noticed?

We launched Cinema Therapy Studios in March, and we're working on our first short film... well, kind of two short films - see our August 2nd livestream for more on that! Since your support helps us make the show, and now films too, it's fitting that our Patreon ...

DIRECTOR'S CUT: Villain Therapy: THANOS

How do villains justify their motives? How does parenting affect your mission in life?

Licensed therapist Jonathan Decker and filmmaker Alan Seawright are tackling the villainy of Thanos from the MCU. While many people therapize Thanos himself, as a family therapist Jonathan focuses on the relationship Thanos has with h...

August Grab Bag of Mystery: Dream Casting Harry Potter

Each month, you get a random piece of exclusive bonus content as a thank you for supporting us on Patreon. August's Grab Bag of Mystery perk sees the return of dream casting with Megan. By now, you know she's a dream casting genius! Megan is back at it to dream cast the maybe-future Harry Potter TV series. What do you think a...

DIRECTOR'S CUT: Therapist Reacts to SUZUME

How do you heal from childhood trauma?

Licensed therapist Jonathan Decker and filmmaker Alan Seawright are reacting to Suzume, after falling in love with Makoto Shinkai’s Your Name. They talk about facing guilt and grief and finding connection and belonging. Jonathan explains the connection between recurring dreams an...

CT Studios August Update!

We've got things to tell you about the short film! Join Jonathan and Alan for a quick discussion about where things are at, where they're going, how we're going to get there, and is there an inflight meal?

You Pick an Episode!

Hello! Thank you for submitting episode suggestions. The Cinema Therapy team has reviewed them and selected 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.<...

Director's Diary - Ashes to Ashes: Location Scout 1

Hang out with Alan as he drives all over Utah looking for pretty, desolate places to film scenes for Ashes to Ashes.

Starting at 3:30am. Because Alan has problems ;)

That's a Wrap: July 2024

Here's a recap of what we did last month!

July got busy! Somehow we ended up shooting 15 (!!) episodes when usually shoot 12. You've got a lot of content coming your way. You're welcome! 🤪

We made some big decisions about this year's short film, and we have an official update coming soon.
...

Alan & Jono's Watching/Reading List: July 2024

Alan:

Hello Heroes!

July. It’s been an absolute blast furnace outside, but that’s okay, I’ve been stuck inside prepping things, and shooting the show! Thank goodness for air conditioning! Now I just need to get some solar panels so I don’t feel (as) bad about destroying the planet for my own personal comfo...

Pick our next ranking video!

Hi Patrons, we’re planning another ranking video, but we want to know which one you’re most looking forward to. If you’ve got more ideas, let us know in the comments!

DIRECTOR'S CUT: Therapist Reacts to MONSTERS, INC.

How do friendships evolve as people change?

Licensed therapist Jonathan Decker and filmmaker Alan Seawright are taking a look at Monsters, Inc. and talking about growth, change, and friendship. They talk about the dynamics of Mike and Sulley’s relationship and what threatens it. Jonathan talks about the power of persp...

Drops: August 2024

Hi, 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 August. Then, we'll watch it together using Drops right here on Patreon. See you there!

In case you missed the news, Drops replaced Discord live chats. Drops is only available in the Patr...

DIRECTOR'S CUT: Toxic or Not: Andy's Friends & Boyfriend in THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA

Are Andy’s friends toxic… or not?

Licensed therapist Jonathan Decker and filmmaker Alan Seawright are launching a new series called Toxic or Not, in which they investigate if movie relationships labeled as toxic are really toxic and what “toxic” actually means. They’re starting with Andy’s friends from The D...

Ashes to Ashes Midnight Thoughts 2: Setbacks

Today was a particularly hard day.

Not posting this to garner sympathy, but just to show the ugly realities of what it's actually like to try to make a film, short or otherwise. Some days are up, and some days are down. Today was down.

Leave a comment if you'd like me to continue this (very lo-fi) series, or just ...

Patreon Exclusive Live Q&A - July 2024

Thanks for submitting your questions! The live Q&A is scheduled for Wednesday, July 24th at 3pm MDT (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 zo...

Filmmaking Deep Dive: The Writing Process

Filmmaker Alan Seawright shares writing updates for Ashes to Ashes, the CT Studios short film. Take a peek behind the scenes at Alan and Megan's writing process, and learn why they're a great team!

Midnight Ashes to Ashes update

Thanks for your patience SuperVillains! Lots more updates coming over the next couple months, many of them higher quality and less sleepy than this one!

Just wanted to keep you informed that stuff is actually happening. We’re making a movie! It’s gonna be pretty good, I think!

DIRECTOR'S CUT: Relationship Therapist Ranks Evil Exes in SCOTT PILGRIM VS THE WORLD

Who do you think is the most evil ex?

Licensed therapist Jonathan Decker and filmmaker Alan Seawright are reacting to Scott Pilgrim vs. the World… with a twist. They’re reacting to Ramona’s evil exes and ranking them from least worst to most worst. But Alan’s got a twist on the twist! And then Jono comes up with...

DIRECTOR'S CUT: Therapist Reacts to THE BOY AND THE HERON

How do we honor and remember those we have lost?

Licensed therapist Jonathan Decker and filmmaker Alan Seawright are reacting to Studio Ghibli’s newest film, The Boy and the Heron. They talk about Mahito’s grief and journey to acceptance. Jonathan shares his own experience grieving the death of his mother as well as...

Submit Your Questions: July Q&A

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...

DIRECTOR'S CUT: Psychology of a Hero: ANASTASIA

What does trauma recovery look like?

Licensed therapist Jonathan Decker and filmmaker Alan Seawright are reacting to Anastasia and discussing Anastasia’s journey through trauma and recovery. They talk about what it takes to face what you’ve been through head on and how Anastasia’s trauma journey is quite accurate....

July Grab Bag of Mystery: Internet Dads Play a Game

Each month, you get a random piece of exclusive bonus content as a thank you for supporting us on Patreon. July's Grab Bag of Mystery perk is serious and silly gameplay! Alan and Jono get up close and personal with each other by playing a game called, "We're Not Really Strangers." Do you want to see us do this again?

That's a Wrap: June 2024

Here's a recap of what we did last month!

What a month! June started off with an unforgettable trip. Pixar invited us to the Inside Out 2 world premiere at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood. Was it all a dream? There's photo and video evidence, but it sure felt like a dream! Unsurprisingly, we all lo...

DIRECTOR'S CUT: What the SPEED RACER Family Teaches Us About POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY

What are the traits of a healthy and loving family? Is Speed Racer the greatest sports film ever made?

Licensed therapist Jonathan Decker and filmmaker Alan Seawright are taking a look at one of Alan’s all-time favorite films, Speed Racer. It’s a movie family (appreciation) therapy, celebrating a functional family t...

Alan & Jono's Watching/Reading List: June 2024

Alan:

Hello Heroes!

June. If you’re in California, it’s gloomy. Which is ironically fitting. Cause I was in California half this month almost. Vacation with the family, then a trip to Hollywood for the premiere of Inside Out 2! Absolutely wild. Hard to believe this is my life!

What I�...

DIRECTOR'S CUT: Therapist Reacts: GODZILLA MINUS ONE

How do you recover from being at your lowest point?

Licensed therapist Jonathan Decker and filmmaker Alan Seawright are taking a look at Godzilla Minus One and the themes of PTSD, survivor’s guilt, and failure. They talk about how it’s a Godzilla movie with all the smashy smashy big monster fun AND it tells a story ...