10 Movie Scenes To Use In Training

Presentation Skills | By: The Bob Pike Group



Sometimes showing is better than telling, especially when teaching a key point with only words or images just doesn’t cut it.

Particular movie scenes make great learning points in programs, and when used correctly with discussion questions, the transfer from simple entertainment to practical learning is more than beneficial.

Becky Pike Pluth has been using movie scenes in her sessions and workshops since she began training. She has a collection of relevant scenes that work best for trainers and teachers, some of which are featured in this guide. With these movie scenes, you can teach, energize, engage and inspire your participants. So read on, enjoy, apply and reap the benefits of incorporating the right movie scene into your program.


How Does it Work?

In 10 Movie Scenes to Use in Training there is a movie scene for several different topics you might cover during your training.

Each movie scene in this guide includes the title of the movie and a topic section that covers what the scene will help you reinforce. Once you have picked the scene you want to use, familiarize yourself with it to learn about the plot and scene. Then, use the discussion questions to help facilitate group conversations surrounding the topics.
The 10 Movie Scenes:

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005)

Topic Areas:
• Feedback
• Leadership
• Motivation

********** **********
Start Time: 1:46:15
End Time: 1:47:15
Scene Duration: 1:00
********** **********

Discussion Questions:
• Why did Peter want to just give up and go home?
• Why did Peter change his mind?
• How did Edmund inspire Peter to be their leader?


Freaky Friday (2003)

Topic Areas:
• Communication
• Conflict Management
• Listening
• Respect

********** **********
Start Time: 14:07
End Time: 17:40
Scene Duration: 3:33
********** **********

Discussion Questions:
• How did Anna try to resolve conflict? Was she successful? Explain.
• What was Anna really trying to get her mom to understand?
• Why did the conversation leave them both frustrated?


How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)

Topic Areas:
• Change management

********** **********
Start Time: 1:22:21
End Time: 1:26:21
Scene Duration: 4:00
********** **********

Discussion Questions:
• Have you ever experienced a change initiative where one person was like the Grinch? What was that like?
• What typically happens when there is one personnot conforming? Can this impact the rest of the group? How?
• Why do some employees resist change?


North Country (2005)

Topic Areas:
• Harassment
• Sexual harassment

********** **********
Start Time: 17:00
End Time: 17:45
Scene Duration: 0:45
********** **********

Discussion Questions:
• What did Josie’s manager do in this scene that could be viewed as sexual harassment? Harassment?
• What can be assumed or implied about his management style for the future?
• What would you have done in her shoes? Explain.


Mr. Holland’s Opus (1995)

Topic Areas:
• Communication
• Nonverbal communication

********** **********
Start Time: 1:04:00
End Time: 1:05:30
Scene Duration: 1:30
********** **********

Discussion Questions:
• Was Cole trying to communicate?
• What made the conversation with Cole difficult?
• List ways Iris and Glenn could have tried to communication with their son to understand what he wanted.


Ocean’s Eleven (2001)

Topic Areas:
• Analyzing issues
• Problem solving

********** **********
Start Time: 30:30
End Time: 33:30
Scene Duration: 3:00
********** **********

Discussion Questions:
• What is the reaction of Ocean’s crew to the description of the safes?
• Why do they continue to listen to Ocean once they realize it isn’t really possible to be successful?
• How did Ocean analyze the task ahead of them?


Sister Act (1992)

Topic Areas:
• Expectations
• Inspiring others
• Motivation
• Performance

********** **********
Start Time: 3:30
End Time: 32:30
Scene Duration: 2:00
********** **********

Discussion Questions:
• What made this uninspiring?
• In this scene, do you think boredom is contagious? Explain.
• Are the nuns working well as a team? Why or why not?


Tin Men (1987)

Topic Areas:
• Sales

********** **********
Start Time: 12:50
End Time: 16:25
Scene Duration: 3:35
********** **********

Discussion Questions:
• What is the sales pitch BB is using?
• Although they weren’t truthful in their approach,what are the elements in this pitch that make it work?
• Why do the salesmen work as a team? Is this valuable? Explain.


Dead Poet’s Society (1989)

Topic Areas:
• Analyzing issues
• Learning styles
• Perspective

********** **********
Start Time: 43:00
End Time: 44:15
Scene Duration: 1:15
********** **********

Discussion Questions:
• Why does Professor Keating get on his desk?
• How would standing on a desk help teach his lesson?
• What makes something memorable or easy to remember?


BIG (1998)

Topic Areas:
• Impressions
• Innovative Thinking
• Marketing

********** **********
Start Time: 42:30
End Time: 45:15
Scene Duration: 2:45
********** **********

Discussion Questions:
• Why does Paul give stats in response to Josh’s question?
• How could Paul have encouraged Josh to come up with an answer to his own question?
• Describe a company that has successful marketing. What have they done to create maintain that image?


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