The Master Class

Gavin de Becker is widely regarded as the nation’s leading expert on violence and safety. This master class is based on the concepts in his book, The Gift of Fear, the #1 bestseller on violence for 25 years.

Using real-life situations as well as his own story to teach lifesaving strategies, Gavin explores safety challenges for women, teenagers and children, and teaches about the most preventable serious crime in America: spousal homicide.

Class participants candidly share their personal stories that become illuminating teaching moments. From these discussions as well as from interviews with an array of experts on violence, we learn that we each have everything we need to predict violence, attain safety, and have less unwarranted fear.

In the Presence of Danger (34 mins)

Class One

Gavin de Becker introduces his book, “The Gift of Fear”, some of his personal story, and the inspirations that led to creating the master class. Through an in-depth look at the real-life story of “Kelly,” this class teaches about strategies predators use to manipulate their targets. We all have a nuclear defense system – our intuition – that can keep us safe if we listen to it. Kelly did listen, and saved her life.

Messengers of Intuition (29 mins)

Class Two

Gavin describes the messengers of intuition and how to overcome the conflict between our “wild brain” and our logic brain. There is a universal code of violence, and you will see that you already know it.

Women in America (35 mins)

Class Three

When it comes to danger, women in America have a very different daily experience than men. This class takes an honest look at that reality, and provides practical strategies for avoiding violence.

Intimate Enemies (40 mins)

Class Four

Gavin says, “Spousal homicide is the most predictable and preventable serious crime in America.” As class participants reveal their own experiences, Gavin teaches the Pre-Incident Indicators of spousal violence. Recognizing these warning signs can help people avoid violent relationships.

Intimate Enemies Part Two – The Way Out (46 mins)

Class Five

Class participants describe the difficulties they faced in leaving, and the ways they all prevailed and got away. Gavin provides a clear-eyed look at restraining orders, domestic violence shelters, and the steps that help get people safely out of abusive relationships.

Protecting Teenagers (47 mins)

Class Six

Teenage girls are the most victimized people in our society. Joined by two young adults, the class learns about early dating, explicit rejection, and the power of the word No. Speaking about his work on getting new laws passed, Gavin says “I would trade them all for a high school class that would teach girls how to say No – and teach boys how to hear No.”

Protecting Children (31 mins)

Class Seven

Lena Dunham recounts her childhood experience with a predatory schoolteacher. Gavin discusses the things parents worry about most – which aren’t always the things that pose the greatest risk. Class participants learn about the fallacy of teaching a child to “Never talk to strangers,” and gain insights on skills children most need if they are ever lost. Gavin teaches parents to “Make very slow and careful choices about whom you admit into your children’s life – and very fast choices about whom you exclude.”

News Media Fear and Worry (40 mins)

Class Eight

Starting with a parody about what it would be like to have a local TV news anchor as a houseguest, this class humorously provides a deeper understanding of what’s actually happening when we watch TV news.

Healing After Violence (31 mins)

Class Nine

This class is comprised of intimate one-on-one conversations with several people whose lives were overturned by violence. Michele Gay lost her 7-year old daughter in the Newtown school massacre. Gwen Harvey's daughter was murdered by a mentally unstable boyfriend. Both mothers share their tremendously valuable stories with Gavin.

Healing After Violence Part 2 (42 mins)

Class Ten

Two men, both named Gregory Orr, experienced gun violence when they were young. The celebrated poet Gregory S. Orr relates in heartfelt detail his experience accidentally shooting his 9-year old brother when he was only 12-years old. In the ultimate expression of resilience and healing, Orr asks, “If we are not supposed to dance, why all this music?”

Another Gregory Orr, this one a filmmaker, tells another heartbreaking story: His father produced a classic TV series, “Colt 45,” and received a real Colt 45 as a present from Warner Brothers Studios. That gun, left in an unlocked office drawer, was used by Greg’s brother to commit suicide.

This is Not Funny

Leading comedic artists, Amy Poehler, Sarah Silverman and Lena Dunham tell their personal stories involving sexual predators, child abuse, assault, intuition – and survival.

Amy Poehler (39 mins)

Sarah Silverman (46 mins)

Lena Dunham (51 mins)

Credits

(scroll down)

Special Thanks for their appearance:
‍

MARCIA CLARK
JOHN DOUGLAS
LENA DUNHAM
MICHELE GAY
DAVE GROSSMAN
TOTTI KARPELA

TERI JENDUSA-NICOLAI
BILL PHILLIPS
AMY POEHLER
ROMAN PRYJOMKO
SARAH SILVERMAN
ELLEN SNORTLAND

Special Thanks to Class Participants:
‍

CHRISTY ADAIR
JILLIAN ALEXANDER
MENELIKA BASELE
CHERIE BENJOSEPH
TISHY BUNK
CHARITY BUSTAMANTE
CINDY CAMPBELL (CHADWELL)
JULIA CHADWELL

CHRISTINE CONRADT
SARAH DAYE
BARON FARLICE
OCHUN FARLICE
MELISSA GILBERT
GWEN HARVEY
ROBERT MARTIN
KAYLA PRADO

BRIT STILES

Special Thanks to:
‍

DAVID FINCHER
MIKE MYERS
GARRY SHANDLING
JEANETTE TRAN

OPRAH WINFREY
SHAUN CASSIDY
ANDREW JARECKI
GEOFF TOWLE

YUKIMI DE BECKER

CAST
Re-creations
‍

TIFFANY ADAMS
KYLE C. ANDERSON
PAULA ARRAND
MATTHEW BAMBERG-JOHNSON
HAYLEY BOCK
ALYSSA DEBOISBLANC
NATHANIEL DUPREE
KEVIN GLICKMAN
MARVIN GODFREY

ALEXANDRA HENSLEY
MARVIN HUBBARD
STEVEN JORDAN
RICHARD MARTIN
KAITLIN MCHUGH
REGINA NAVARJO
ADINETT NSABIMANA
ALBERTO OCAMPO
JOHN HENRY RICHARDSON

ANNIKA WASSERMAN

PRODUCTION

Executive Producer
JEFF APPLE

Director
(Series)
JEFF APPLE

Director
MIKE MYERS

Co-Producer
WILL MCKIM

Story Producer
MARION DELARCHE

Line Producer
STEPHAN BATAILLARD

1st Assistant Director
JEREMY GILBREATH

2nd Assistant Director
JORGE LUIS RIVERA

Editor
MARION DELARCHE

Additional Editors
EMMA HICKCOX
JOHN ROSENBERG

Assistant Editors
JIM TURNER
KITTY NORTON
AMY KESSLER

Director of Photography
ADAM DE BROWA
JAMES MCEACHEN
TOM MCDONALD
GARY YOST

Music
“The Way”
Written and Performed by
ZACK HEMSEY

Additional Music by
PINAR TOPRAK

Licensed Music by
APM MUSIC

Hair & Make Up Artist
RACHEL OLSON

Production Audio
KEVIN BAZELL
RUSTY EAGLE-HALL

Audio Mixers
THERESA RADKA
DAVID KRIEGER
LENA ALKHATIB

Production Accountant
JESSILINE BERRY

Gaffer
TOM MCDONALD

Grip
CHRIS COGAN

Jib Operators
ANDY JAGERSON
PAUL RIPLEY

1st Assistant Camera
JEFF WOOLEY

2nd Assistant Camera
KEITH “KRASH” RASH

Art Director
REBECCA SCOTT

Camera Operators
PER LARSSON
GRANT BARBEITO
LUCAS PLOUVIEZ

Polecam
GREG SLAMAN

Technocrane Op
JAN OLBOTER

DIT
BEN HOPKINS
JOHN BRADARIC
DAGMARA KRECLOCH

DIT Utility
JAMES DUNHAM
BRANDON DOLSON
DANIEL ZIMBALDI
‍
Electrician
RYAN LINDHART

Key Grip
DAVE MCDONALD

Swing
WIL WATER

Leadman/Props
ADAM HEBB

Location Manager
VINCENT LOPEZ

Production Assistants
MITCHELL WARNER
SETH GERSHBERG

Production Consultant
JASON SKLAR

Production Coordinator
JOLÉ PALENCIA
MATTHEW HART

Production Manager
TARA TOVAREK

Production Assistants
MITCHELL WARNER
SETH GERSHBERG

Shuttle Driver
JOHN EVANGELISTA

Visual Effects
JOHN GROWER

Graphics
RICHARD TAYLOR
SIDDARTH RAJ
LOUIS CALDAROLA
MARION DELARCHE

Online Assistant Editor
RON GORDON

Finishing editor / colorist
CHRIS MONTE

Audio Mixer
IAN MACKLEY

POST PRODUCTION SERVICES PROVIDED BY
SUGAR STUDIOS LA

Post Production Supervisor
JIJO REED

Post Production Manager
NICOLE WASHINGTON

Colorist
BRUCE BOLDEN

DI Producer
XUEYI YANG

DI Conformist
MARISA BRUGGER

Re-Recording Mixer
PATRICK GARCIA

Foley Artist
GREG MAUER

Dialogue/SFX
ARNOLD ANTONY
PATRICK GARCIA

Post Coordinator
JACOBO VIZCARRA

Legal
Donaldson Callif Perez, LLP
LISA CALLIF
ALEX YOUSEFZADEH

Insurance
Front Row Insurance
KEN HAMILTON

APPLE SPACE & TIME

PRODUCTION