Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein is an award winning Selfie Filmmaker, Zoom Drama Creator, Positive Psychologist and podcaster who helps us overcome anxiety and alienation through multiple media channels.
Selfie films (films made with a smartphone) are now officially accepted as valid works of art. Film makers and the public at large are paying attention to the potential that selfie films offer. A visionary, Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein was one of the first to embrace selfie films and has created, written and produced a group of films that have been selected or won awards over 100 times - and for good reason. Dr Holstein was perhaps the first to allow young actresses to film themselves in coming-of-age films in a format she calls "selfie films as drama." She brings drama, humor and solid psychology concepts to every film and book she creates. Dr. Holstein believes we have only scratched the surface of what is possible.
"Nancy Pelosi, chosen as one of the world's most outstanding women over 50 mentioned in a recent interview that if she could change one thing in the world it would be to educate girls and women around the world," Dr. Holstein stated. "As a positive psychologist and the developer of THE ENCHANTED SELF, A Positive Therapy, Your Path to Happiness, I have focused constantly on the fact that if you realize and understand the power of YOUR potential, Your Talents and Your Strengths, you can powerfully and successfully move forward in life. You can map out for yourself a life of meaning and happiness. What most people lack is a clear realization of their potential, strengths and talents, often burying themselves in the criticisms and often poor advice they receive from others. The truth to our talents, and potential is for us to discover. How? Self knowledge, self reflection, courage to not give up on the hidden potential we know we have. My books, 'THE ENCHANTED SELF, a Positive Therapy' and 'Seven Gateways to Happiness' make much of this clear.
"My goal is to educate girls and women about the fact that they can overcome anything, including even a pandemic. However, we all know how hard it is to operate in a vacuum. We need support and encouragement. Amazingly, that is easy to obtain in today's world in the most surprising of ways. Modern life and technology have offered us easy doorways to explore ourselves and the world. For example, the internet has allowed us to find mentors around the world, to educate ourselves in schools without walls, to make friends in nations we may never get to visit, etc.
"The smartphone has opened the world to all of us! The smart phone allows all of us to become filmmakers, visionaries, comedians, historians, keepers of the family legends, creators of fictional drama, documentaries, etc. What does that mean? It means that each of us, becoming a Selfie Filmmaker, can add information and relevance of one kind or another to the world at large, if one uses a stage such as TikTok or You Tube or just to ourselves as a diary in pictures and thoughts of our lives.
"For me, as a positive psychologist, the smartphone revolution has given me a way to merge psychology with filmmaking in a way that helps kids, parents, grandparents, teachers, therapists, understand the trials and tribulations of coming of age, a process we all must go through. My films are drama, humor and psychological development rolled into one. The Selfie project has taken off around the world. In its 6th year, I'm proud to share that my selfie films have been selected and/or won awards over 100 times at film festivals and contests. What is most exciting is that the world at large moves closer to my visions of filmmaking with smartphones. There are now film festivals that only accept films made with a smartphone crew. On TikTok we see people from around the world making fun films and professionals sharing information.
"When you have done visionary work, which I have, you must realize that if the ideas are good, the world will catch up to you. My films such as 'Falling in Love, a Coming of Age, Selfie Film' are still the only smartphone films out there in which rather than the standard crew, the actors use smartphones with little use of a crew. And now I'm about to make a film: 'Do Dreams come True?' where the crew uses smartphones and the major actress also does many of her scenes without a crew, using her smartphone.
“Yes, my purpose in life is to encourage and help others find their potential. To do this I have encouraged my mind to think out of the box, leading to the development of filmmaking that utilizes smart phones in new amazing ways. Will I be center stage? Yes, to myself and that is the most important place to feel proud and useful. To the world, the smart phones will allow millions to tell their stories, and reach for the stars. After all, each of us is An Enchanted Self. Tap into your potential, fulfill your destiny!"
As a school psychologist and in her private practice, Dr. Holstein has worked with many children and parents, helping them to develop life skills in decision making, recognition of their own talents, feel more courageous, and helping both kids and parents develop more successful inter-generational skills. Her latest book, ‘Conflict and a Bit of Magic’ helps kids build self esteem though reading the journal of a girl, identifying with the girl, and understanding they have more courage and resiliency than they thought they had. The book is based on the experiences of the already famous “girl” from 'The Truth, Diary of a Gutsy Tween' and 'Secrets, Diary of a Gutsy Teen'
Dr. Holstein's cutting-edge presentations, most recently based on the Covid-19 pandemic issues, can be found on both YouTube, Vimeo and on the Roku channel and Amazon Fire TV, titled as 'The Enchanted Self Presents'.
Dr. Holstein recently created The Selfie Showcase, a new project emerging from The Selfie Project, that allows young people to voice their opinions on subjects that matter to young people. She is now accepting submissions from the public for the "Selfie Showcase" and is actively seeking change-makers and mental health professionals to appear on her monthly video podcasts.
The Selfie Showcase allows kids, teens, and young adults ages 13 to 18 to candidly express their concerns, worries, observations and possible solutions by creating selfie videos or films around important subjects, using a smartphone. Dr. Holstein's mission is to help rectify, in several ways, some of the issues young people face by giving them a chance to engage with others in meaningful ways about the anxiety and stress they must grapple with constantly.
Selected participants may appear on the Selfie Project Channel, available on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3uaOTcYF70z5CpBh11VoUQ. They will also appear in the Selfie Showcase on SelfieFilmmakers.com. They will receive a certificate of merit and may be invited to be on Holstein's monthly podcast or perhaps be a part of her next film. Full details, rules for submission and helpful hints can be accessed at the Selfie Filmmakers site at http://www.selfiefilmmakers.com/instructions.
Holstein's unique Selfie Films have taken many awards and have been shown in many film festivals and competitions. A full list, now over 100, can be found at Enchantedself.com.
Holstein's podcast series is actively seeking change-makers and visionaries to appear on her podcasts. Dr. Holstein hopes to feature members of traditional media, mental health professionals and educators who can make a real difference in the lives of young people. Many of the podcasts feature young people - to give them a voice regarding their concerns and their solutions. Guests, if accepted, can arrange to appear by contacting Dr. Holstein directly.
Dr. Holstein is available for media interviews and can be reached using the information below or by email at barbara.holstein@gmail.com. More information about the Selfie Showcase is available at http://www.selfiefilmmakers.com. Selfie videos and selfie films can be uploaded at http://www.selfiefilmmakers.com. Potential podcast guests can contact Dr. Holstein by email. More information is available at her primary website at http://www.enchantedself.com.
Profile:
Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein, internationally known Positive Psychologist is the creator of The Enchanted Self ®, a positive psychology method for happiness and a pioneer in Selfies as Film. Dr. Holstein's Enchanted Self website was included as one of the best websites in positive psychology. She is in private practice in Long Branch, New Jersey with her husband, Dr. Russell M. Holstein.
Dr. Barbara can be found on the web, interviewed, writing articles and posting video 'TED' style talks on Happiness, Positive Psychology, Relationships and Parenting. Her Roku channel is: The Enchanted Self Presents.
She has been a contributor to Your Tango, Heart and Soul, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Honey Good, Cosmopolitan Magazine, Redbook, Real Simple, Women’s World, The Wall Street Journal, Psychcentral.com, Time on line, the Today Show and Family Circle Magazine.
Contact:
Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein
170 Morris Ave.,
Long Branch, New Jersey 07740
barbara.holstein@gmail.com
732-571-1200
http://www.enchantedself.com
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