Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein is an award winning Selfie Filmmaker, Positive Psychologist and podcaster who helps us overcome anxiety and alienation through multiple media channels.
Every now and then something happens that changes how we approach a specific art form. Changes in the film industry seem to happen in spurts. As technology improves, new techniques and ideas gain widespread acceptance. Seldom however do we see a change that is a real paradigm shift - something so different and cutting-edge as to transform the lens through which we view the entire industry. Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein may be on the verge of creating such a change with her award winning, dramatic selfie films.
Month after month for the last few years Dr. Holstein has been winning award after award for her "selfies as drama" conceptual films - over 90 to date. These are not just selfie films. They have at their core positive psychology principles that only Dr. Holstein can bring to the table.
"Right now, the youth in our country have many pressures that they are dealing with," Dr. Holstein stated. "These include the pandemic and the anxieties and depression that can affect many kids who are struggling with virtual learning, loss of normal social interactions, loneliness and more. So many other pressures also: fear of getting sick or losing a loved one or friend to Covid. And other issues: bullies, drugs, college loan debts, financial wows at home, homelessness and more. But the truth is there is a real opportunity for young people coming out of the pandemic.
"As a pioneer in Positive Psychology (THE ENCHANTED SELF, A POSITIVE THERAPY), writing the first book for women and their therapists in mental health care using positive psychology principles, my experience has seasoned me to be also a pioneer in Selfie Films designed to uplift the human spirit and to facilitate discussion and reactions leading to positive change and better mental health," Dr. Holstein stated.
"After all, what is the purpose of psychology? It is to understand the human mind and then to help people achieve good mental health. Understanding the mind, the way we think and feel, gives psychologists an edge in helping people as we can not only give advice and support, but can help with the strategies and steps necessary to feel better.
"What can I do with my training to help kids and parents? Of course I can give a lecture or write a paper. But drama and storytelling are often much more effective than those options. Drama, since ancient times, has awakened people to what they need to do with their lives and how to handle themselves. That’s what I am doing in making Selfie films that bring to light many adolescent problems in a way that penetrates without leading to despair.
"I am thrilled to be making Selfie films as drama that can successfully compete artistically in film festivals (my films have been selected and or won awards at over 90 film festivals and competitions on five continents.
"But more importantly they can also be used as important educational tools in and out of the classroom to assist in opening the doors to better mental health for kids, tweens and teens. Let me give an example, ‘The Truth, a Short Film’ is made up of sixteen scenes filmed by the star, Cassidy Terracciano, on her cell phone. Directed by me, Cassidy,left by herself to film, using her smartphone and my script, brings to life scenes adapted from my book, 'The Truth, Diary of a Gutsy Tween'.
"Watching the film we experience an intimacy with the actress that draws us in and heightens the mood for discussing relevant issues that kids face. Processing my films can take place directly after seeing them and/or later as certain issues such as falling in love or loss of friends sink in.
"Why does selfie filming engage the viewer so deeply? Like most of us, left alone in the shower we reach our ultimate singing voice, I believe that directing and then letting kids do the filming by themselves without a crew watching allows a deeper level of emotions to be transmitted from actor to reactor. Getting psychologically instructive messages that help with important coming of age issues that kids face is what selfie dramatic filmmaking is all about.
"Nothing is trivial when we are growing up. A crush that goes bad, a decision to move to a new town, friends left behind, parents fighting or maybe a divorce, family secrets, friends teasing or bullying, all of these situations and many more can lead to a mental health crisis for a particular child.
Selfie drama films do not tell a dark story. My films are uplifting and entertaining. The central characters find workable and uplifting solutions to their problems. The audience laughs, groans, remembers when they were that age, and are ready to start important conversations. I believe that combining potentially serious coming of age subjects in a new form of selfie filmmaking will result in happier kids, more successful parenting and mental health care when necessary in a more timely fashion. Many of my films are available at Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/MRG-Collective-Selfie-Project/dp/B089781TKJ/ref=tmm_dvd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1602766903&sr=8-1.
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 a number of 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.
Dr. Holstein's unique Selfie Films have taken many awards and have been shown in many film festivals and competitions. Most notable among these are:
The Selfie Project - Accepted at 20 film festivals or film competitions
Conflict and A Bit Of Magic: A Coming Of Age Selfie Film - Accepted at 19 film festivals or film competitions
Truth Is Stranger Than Fiction: A Coming of Age Selfie Film - Accepted at 16 film festivals or film competitions. Also, the song ‘Truths Change and Still Remain’ won an award at the Florence film Festival.
Secrets: A Coming of Age Selfie Film - Accepted at 9 film festivals or film competitions
Lockdown - Accepted at 14 film festivals or film competitions
The Truth: A Short Film - Accepted at 8 film festivals or film competitions. The Song from this film won an award for the best Pop Song of 2016 at the Garden State Film Festival.
Falling in Love, A Coming of Age, Selfie Film-Accepted at 15 film festivals or film competitions.
'Truth Is Stranger Than Fiction, A Coming Of Age Selfie Film', and 'The Selfie Project' both directed and created by Dr. Holstein, was shown in Manhattan on February 26 in the Anthology Building as part of the NewFilmmakers Special Program on Women Filmmakers.
Holstein's podcast series is actively seeking change-makers and visionaries to appear on her monthly 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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