The new short two minute film by Positive Psychologist Barbara Becker Holstein, 'The Truth, A Short Short Film', premiered at FilmOneFest in July. The film has now been chosen as an Official Selection in the Chain Film Festival to be held in Manhattan on August 13, 2016. 'The Truth, a Short Film', a longer 16 minute portrayal of a girl growing up, has been officially selected for the Golden Door International Film Festival to be held in September 2016. 'The Truth' focuses on how teens communicate their deepest needs.
The use of social media by teenagers has been making headlines worldwide, with feature stories appearing everywhere, from NPR to Good Morning America. While a majority of these stories focus on the problems and potentially dangerous interactions created by the social media culture, few focus on solutions to these problems. Positive Psychologist and author Barbara Becker Holstein instead focuses on solutions. Her books, plays and short films have won numerous awards. 'The Truth, a Short Film', Official Choice of the Garden State Film Festival, 2016, premiered at the Garden State Film Festival on Sunday, April 3, 2016. 'On the Edge of Something New' the pop song composed for 'The Truth, a Short Film' by Jayne Critelli, won the award as the Best Pop Song, 2016. Dr. Holstein's stage play, 'The Locket', was presented at The Grange Playhouse on March 11-20, 2016 and received rave reviews. Both the new short film and the stage play center on Dr. Holstein's primary messages for teens, tweens and women of all ages.
"I have made two films so far. One is 'The Truth, a Short Film' and the other is 'The Truth, a Short, Short Film'. The first is 16 minutes long, the second 2 minutes. You might ask, what is the difference? The difference is that the two minute film brings to light the intense angst and upset that kids can experience as young teens, when they are ignored in family life decisions. There is a lot to discuss after seeing this short film. To whom is the girl talking? Is she going public on social media somewhere? Do her parents realize how upset she is? When were they planning to tell her? How do we view the emotional needs and reactions of our young teens? How honest are we prepared to be with them? You see there can be a great deal to talk about from a two minute film. In fact, even the 25 second trailer is enticing. It can be viewed at https://vimeo.com/177002777.
"My field is positive psychology. I've dedicated over 25 years to this niche and started writing about it before the term came into use. My terminology was a bit more flowery, THE ENCHANTED SELF(r). That is the part of yourself that must be saved, preserved, brought to light again and again. It is the part with all your talents, strengths and potential within it. It is what is right with you not what is wrong. I was interested that the Wall Street Journal mentioned the importance of positive psychology just recently. http://blogs.wsj.com/experts/2016/06/27/the-one-question-therapists-dont-often-ask-but-should/. It is critical.
"That's why I reach out in my books, 'The Truth, Diary of a Gutsy Tween' and 'Secrets, Diary of a Gutsy Teen', my films, as mentioned above, even my play, 'The Locket' to keep saying in a dramatic fashion that we all need to hold on to the best of ourselves."
"Filming is just getting underway for 'Secrets'. 'Secrets' takes the girl into her next year of life and many new dramatic moments, both bad and good await her. Megan Brown will be playing the girl. Cassidy Terracciano, the previous star, is off to college. Both girls are fabulous actresses. I'm so excited. Stay tuned!"
Dr. Holstein's entire body of work is great for parents, grandparents, older siblings and teachers to establish lines of communication with the tweens and teens in their lives. Her books have received numerous awards. A recent review of Dr. Holstein's book, 'Secrets', stated, "This book should ideally be stocked in the home libraries of families with children and in school libraries worldwide."
A trailer from her new short film, 'The Truth', an Official Choice of the Garden State Film Festival, is available at www.thetruthforgirls.com. The trailer captures the world of technology and its public nature with the intense needs of a young girl to share her most private and most intimate thoughts, feelings, ideas and secrets. We see a girl in the throes of growing up keeping a diary on paper and also on her cell in video. In the diary she shares all her feelings and secrets. Who is the 'You' that she is also sharing her diary with? In today's world of likes, lols and longing to be seen, noticed, validated, talked about, often by 'friends' only known virtually, where are her deepest thoughts and longings going? Both the trailer, even in 47 seconds and the film 'The Truth, A Short Film' of 16 minutes are great to use to get kids and parents talking about today's social media world that we all live in.
A sequel to 'The Truth', 'Secrets' is currently in production. In the sequel, based on Secrets, Diary of a Gutsy Teen, a girl continues to share her most private thoughts and feelings on video, via her cell phone. Does she also keep a paper diary? Or is she now just communicating with someone in the outside world? If so, who is it? She is a year older and although she has matured, her longings and her hunger to find a home for her feelings and intense emotions are even stronger. How will she handle all?
Dr. Holstein is available for media interviews and can be reached using the information below or by email at drbarbara@enchantedself.com. All of her books are available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble and all other online retailers. More information is available at her website at http://www.TheTruthForGirls.com.
Profile:
Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein, internationally known Positive Psychologist is the creator of The Enchanted Self ®, a positive psychology method for happiness. Dr. Holstein's Enchanted Self website, www.enchantedself.com, was just 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.
She has been a contributor to Heart and Soul, Cosmopolitan Magazine, Redbook, Real Simple, The Wall Street Journal, Time on line, the Today Show and Family Circle Magazine.
Contact:
Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein
170 Morris Ave.,
Long Branch, New Jersey 07740
drbarbara@enchantedself.com
732-571-1200
http://www.newshortfilmthetruth.com
http://www.thetruthforgirls.com
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