Wednesday, June 20, 2018

Body Shaming, Social Media, Bullying And The Drive To Be Best - Selfie Filmmaker Barbara Becker Holstein Interviewed By Asbury Park Press

Dr. Holstein, a psychologist/filmmaker and originator of a unique Selfie Film concept, writes award-winning books, plays and produces short films that offer solutions to problems that impact today's teens and tweens

Barbara Becker Holstein, Positive Psychologist and multi-award winning selfie filmmaker, was recently interviewed by Asbury Park Press. The Asbury Park Press, a part of the USA Today network, is a daily newspaper in Monmouth and Ocean counties of New Jersey and has the third largest circulation in the state. In that interview she talked about her beginnings, her vision for selfie films, and taking "The Selfie Project" to the next level. During the interview, (available at both her site and Asbury Park Press, she stated in part:

Q: What surprised you the most about running the business?

Holstein: That there were no other psychologists really on the same path. I was alone as a psychologist/filmmaker focusing on Selfies as Film.

Q: Describe your most unusual customer, job or work experience.

Holstein: Each step out of the treatment room: most recently, “The Selfie Project,” which is taking the thoughts, feelings and concerns of tweens and teens into account. A pilot show is in development. Recently on a podcast show out at Shared Universe Podcasting in Eatontown, I was interviewed by C.J. Cullen, developer of Hang on to Your Shorts Film Festival. Megan Brown, the actress in a number of my films and also participating in 'The Selfie Project', was with me. Our thoughts about the positive use of Selfies slid out into the universe as if by magic.

Q: How would you like the business to grow and change?

Holstein:I would like Enchanted Self Productions to be nationally known. I would like every school and library to have copies of my books, and access to the related films. I would like to develop more related products. I want to continue “The Selfie Project” to help youngsters more clearly express their emotions in safe ways.

Q: In one sentence, tell us why customers should go there.

Holstein: All the projects and products of Enchanted Self Productions are catalysts for positive change for kids and adults.

The full interview is available at her website at http://www.selfiefilmmakers.com/interviews and at Asbury Park Press.

Dr. Holstein is currently developing "The Selfie Project" to help kids share their feelings and thoughts in a meaningful way via Selfies that can reach millions. "The Selfie Project" provides a way for young people to go public on a number of subjects. Bullying is real, school violence is real, drama because of social media is real for kids.'The Selfie Project' is giving voice to those subjects. A pilot TV show is in the development phase. Teens will have a chance to discuss via their Selfies and in discussion with Dr. Holstein, various topics that affect their lives, including friend drama, fear of assault weapons, opioids, feelings of anxiety and depression, issues around teenage suicide and more. As of this moment, teens can share a link to their Selfies and Dr. Holstein will consider them for inclusion on her website, SelfieFilmmakers.com.

Holstein's short films have won numerous awards and accolades.

The Truth A Short Film:

Garden State Film Festival Premier - Best Pop Song 2016
Golden Door Int. Film Festival - Official Selection - September 2016
Grove Film Festival - Showing - May 2017
Female Filmmakers Film Festival - Official Selection - 12th of 92 films
Roselle Park Shorts Film Festival - Official Selection - September 2017

The Truth A Short Short Film:

FilmOneFest Premier - July 2016
Chain Film Festival - Official Selection - August 2016
Jersey City Int. Television and Film Festival - Official Selection - November 2016
Hang On To Your Shorts Film Festival - Official Selection- May 2017

Secrets A Coming Of Age Selfie Film:

Alice Guy-Blache Women In Cinema Award - Nomination - October 2017, Golden Globe International Film Festival
NewFilmmakers, Manhattan- Official Selection, January 24, 2018
Brightside Tavern Shorts Fest Film Series - Best Experimental Film nomination - March 2018
Brightside Tavern Shorts Fest Film Series - Best New Jersey Short nomination - March 2018
Brightside Tavern Shorts Fest Film Series - Best Concept nomination - March 2018
Hang on To Your Shorts, Official Selection - April 2018, Nominated for Best New Jersey Drama and Best Experimental Film
Shown March 1 1018 as one of 6 outstanding women’s films at the Behane Center in Jersey City, for Women’s History Month by Golden Door International Film Festival.
Brightside Tavern Film Festival, Season 7 - Best Experimental Film - March 2018
Jersey Shore Film Festival, August 2018, Selected and Nominated for an award.

Falling In Love A Coming Of Age Selfie Film:

Brightside Tavern Film Festival-March 2017- Best Experimental Film Nomination, Second Place Award as Best New Jersey Film Short
Grove Film Festival, Official Selection-May 2017
Hang On To Your Shorts Film Festival - Best Experimental Film nomination - May 2017
Hang On To Your Shorts Film Festival - Best Concept Film nomination - May 2017
Hang On To Your Shorts Film Festival - Megan Brown Rising Star Award - May 2017
Love Shorts Film Festival - Official Selection - February 2018

Conflict:

Official selection to premiere at the New Jersey International Film Festival at Rutgers University on June 9th, 2018
Semi-finalist in the JELLY Fest Film Festival, June, 2017

'Secrets' was been selected for inclusion in "Passages: Women in Transition," Women In Media - Newark's 2018 Women's History Month film festival, held on March 27 – April 5, 2018 at Rutgers University Newark, New Jersey, and at various satellite venues in the area.

'Falling in Love, A Coming of Age, Selfie Film, is detailed in a new ebook: 'A Selfie Film - Falling In Love' by Dr. Holstein. This ebook presents issues and stories behind the creation of Dr. Holstein's "selfie films", which utilize cutting edge New Media technology. Topics and questions for discussion can be used by a parent and a child, or a group of hundreds as universal subjects of growing up and handling tough issues are presented.

‘Secrets, A Coming of Age, Selfie Film,’ has been selected for screening at the Jersey Shore Film Festival in early August and has been nominated for an award.

Dr. Holstein is featured as an Entrepreneur in the Asbury Park Press, early June.

Dr. Holstein makes a number of her books and films available to be used as fundraising tools. She requests that any verified charitable organization interested in raising funds contact her via email. She is available for media interviews and can be reached using the information below or by email at barbara.holstein@gmail.com. More information is available at her website at http://www.SelfieFilmmakers.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.

She has been a contributor to Your Tango, 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
barbara.holstein@gmail.com
732-571-1200
http://www.thetruthforgirls.com
http://www.selfiefilmmakers.com