Sometimes showing is much more effective than telling. Almost every teacher or trainer has at some time thought a particular scene would make a great learning point in a program. Over the years, I’ve used a number of movie clips in a variety of training programs. Why? Because Hollywood has more money to spend on movies and usually has better actors than we can afford in corporate training videos.

When I was doing a program for the Defense Security Institute, I used a clip from Beverly Hills Cop where Axel Foley (Eddie Murphy) climbs the fence of a bonded warehouse. When accosted, Axel turns the situation around and soon has everyone opening doors, files, and just about everything else.

It was a perfect five-minute clip to have the defense contractors divided into two groups – one looking for protocols that were violated and the other looking for the procedures that were violated. Participants watched with a different focus, and the ensuing discussion drove home a variety of learning points much more quickly than any other method I could have chosen.

In her book 101 Movie Clips that Teach and Train, Becky Pluth has located poignant and relevant clips, suggested different content areas, and provided discussion questions to insure there is transfer from simple entertainment value to practical learning points that reinforce your training topics.

Bob Pike CSP, CPAE

Chairman/CEO The Bob Pike Group

From 101 Movie Clips that Teach and Train

Topic Area: Assertiveness, Courage, Fear, Flexibility, Innovation, Motivation, Results

Movie Title: Monsters, Inc.      Distributed By: Walt Disney/Pixar 2001

Year Created: 2001                 MPAA rating: G

Plot Summary: James P. Sullivan and Mike Wazowski are two of many monsters that work for Monsters Inc. generating power from the screams of children. With a little girl accidentally brought into the plant and a devious plan to rid Monstropolis of its power problems, Sulley and Mike have their work cut out for them. Together they will fight for the children they scare every night.

Description of the Scene: The scream business is on the decline and failing so Sulley and Mike have turned to the laughing business to generate power for the plant.

Start Time: 1:20:37                    End Time: 1:22:37                      Clip Duration: 2:00

Discussion Questions:

·         What helped turn around the monster’s problem?

·         How many approaches does Mike take to get the child to laugh?

·         If you were the child, what would you expect from the monster?

·         Do you find yourself bringing solutions to the table or problems? Why?

·         What steps can you do to become more flexible in your job and the way you think?

·         What will you do differently the next time you are posed with a problem or challenge?

·         When you don’t get the result that you are looking for, what do you do?

You can purchase 101 Movie Clips that Teach and Train here or call us at (800) 383-9210.